Architecture+&+Math

Egyptian Architecture & Math
 * Ancient Mathematics**

Prior to the 20th century belief was that the art of mathematics originated in ancient Greece with the notable works of Archimedes and the other great mathematicians of his time. This conjecture was refuted by the discovery and deciphering of Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian clay tablets containing cuneiform script. Unlike Greek and Egyptian mathematics which are not easily documentable, the durability of tablets has allowed this evidence to survive.

Although evidence of mathematics date back to 3000B.C. with the multiplication tables of the Sumerians, the most impressive specimens of mathematical intellect come from the Babylonians. The Babylonians operated on a seemingly unorthodox base 60 numerical system, however, this system was highly efficient and allowed them to make many great mathematical developments. It is from this system that we've obtained our current time intervals, 60 second in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, as well as 360 degree in one full revolution. Apart from this advanced numerical system, the Babylonians were also fluent in various forms of algebraic and trigonometric functions. Most of this mathematical knowledge was passed on to the Greeks following the conquests of Alexander the Great in 331B.C.



__Sources:__ http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/vatican.exhibit/exhibit/d-mathematics/Mathematics.html http://www.math.tamu.edu/~dallen/history/greekorg/greekorg.html http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/369194/mathematics/65969/Mathematics-in-ancient-Mesopotamia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylonian_mathematics  Click image for external link.